Some Vernal residents oppose proposed area phosphate mine

Thursday , April 05, 2012 - 9:57 AM

Contributed

VERNAL -- Some eastern Utah residents are fired up about a proposed phosphate mine in Uintah County.

The Deseret News reportsmore than 200 people showed up to Utah Phosphate Co.'s open house on Tuesday. One resident described the project as a toxic waste dump and said building it nearby was "personal."

Company officials say they're just studying whether it's possible to develop two mining leases on property at the base of Taylor Mountain, northwest of Vernal. Utah Phosphate official Chris Wilde says the company just bought the leases, and the project is in a very preliminary stage.

Some attendees say they're worried about the proposed mine's proximity to Ashley Spring. Ashley Valley water district manager David Hatch says damaging it could compromise the water supply for about 10,000 people.